Russell Brand calls for revolution in explosive interview

You say you want a revolution? Well, Russell Brand knows it — and he’s leading the cause.

Fans of Brand know that in addition to being a stand-up comedian, actor, and Katy Perry ex-husband, he’s a passionate advocate against various societal ills, particularly drug abuse and income inequality.

It was that Brand who showed up to a BBC interview last night with journalist Jeremy Paxman (the two have memorably talked before). Brand was on the program because he guest-edited The New Statesman‘s revolution-themed issue, and in the on-camera interview, Brand expanded on his printed op-ed about the change in our political structure Brand believes is coming.

When Paxman — who clearly thought he would be interviewing the goofy Brand who runs around with models and won Shagger of the Year, and not the one who wrote about the death of Margaret Thatcher — attempted to question why anyone would listen to Brand at all, being that he’s both an actor and doesn’t vote, Brand responded, while noting that voting at all only lends support for the current power structure in place, “I don’t get my authority from this pre-existing paradigm which is quite narrow and only serves a few people. I look elsewhere for alternatives that might be of service to humanity.”

Brand definitely channels that annoying guy from your Intro To Poly Sci course at some parts of the chat, but he also passionately makes some valid points, particularly when discussing how low-income areas can feel very removed from those in power, and that can be a breeding ground for drugs and other not-so-great decisions, which he then relates to his own well-documented struggles.

Check out the interview below:

Quick question: How many times did Brand discuss this with Perry over the course of their marriage?